Economist.com: The troublesome, vote-loving ayatollah: America is getting more international help in its quest to build a peaceful, democratic Iraq but, ironically, its plans are under threat because the spiritual leader of the country’s Shia majority, Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, is demanding fully democratic elections.
Iraq could do a lot worse — much worse — than modeling itself after...

Economist.com | American diplomacy in the Middle East: Is a Pax Americana in the offing?: Despite the misery of Israel-Palestine and the bloody uncertainty in Iraq, there are hopeful signs across the wider region.
As I’ve noted several times, we’ve placed a bet — in both blood and treasure — that freedom is a defense against terrorism. It seems to be paying off in the short...

WSJ.com – Eye on Europe
The riots in Seattle were one of the most embarrassing displays in recent memory, mostly because the participants didn’t have the foggiest notion what they were protesting or why. Their only argument was property destruction and railing against “the system”.
As this columnist points out, if they go unanswered they’ll win the argument regardless...

WSJ.com – Dictatorships and Double Standards
We have the likes of Syria arguing for democracy in Iraq by December 15th. Fine, take them at their word and expel each member that’s not a democracy that respects individual rights by December 15th.
The Economist describes the problem with the UN, all the while defending it, thusly:
First, they are subject to no higher authority—no Supreme...

This excerpt is from The Chicago Tribune and found via Daily Pundit. I won’t register with The Trib because they require you to receive email in exchange so you’ll have to go to Bill’s pad to get the link.
Thankfully, none of Rep. Jackson’s amendments will even make it out of Congress, much less past 38 state legislatures. These amendments, however, draw a clear distinction...